Strange bonds

I read something about Radio on a forum today and I went back to memories of my college days. FM was the in thing then and I was so addicted to it. My favorite channel was Radio City and RJ Anuj was my favorite Radio Jockey. I was not on social media back then and had not seen him ever, but I felt so connected to his shows. He is so vivacious and keeps you glued. There was one of his trademark shows ‘Recharge’, I used to wait with bated breath for 9PM every weekday for it for nearly an year. Then he switched to another show which was a hit again. He would share his mind and give his personal touch to his shows. I am a fan. I still remember his last day with Radio City, he said he was moving to Bangalore and he got so emotional, I think I even cried hearing him for the last time then. It was a very touching moment.

And the best part was I won thrice on his shows, my Dad who does not believe that these contests on TV/Radio are legit was surprised and also proud of me.

Thanks to Facebook, I found his page now and am glad to see his career accomplishments.

Catch-Up

I was telling a blogger friend the other day that I’m resting from the April challenge and I see that it is already half of May. Remember the short trip we did 2 weeks back, I’m yet to post those pictures and write about it.

We had company this time, Ims’ colleague and his wife are here from Chennai and we managed good. What I love about travelling with Ims is he reads up a lot of the places and provides his live titbits as we travel which makes others connect and learn more.

Unfortunately, the cable car which takes us up to a great view of the Tahoe lake was closed and so were many other activities, I wonder why. Then we rented a boat, it was our first time and only Ims had a valid driving license and he had to drive, it was really fun. Then we chilled out at the calm Nevada beach and finished the day with Thai dinner. I was skeptical but I loved the Veg fried rice, it had all the vegetables you can think of and they were crunchy and delicious mixed with Jasmine rice which seemed sweet.

I so wanted to do Parasailing but the weather was not appropriate.

We drove to the Eagle falls early next day, stopping in between for clicks, did a short hike and played at the Waterfall. Then our search began for lunch, and almost all the restaurants were closed and opened at 5PM, finally found an American one and got done with it.

Took an alternate route back home and reached with no hurries.

First look of snow

Jazz in thoughtful mode at Nevada beach

Beautiful Emerald bay

Eagle falls

Trailhead

Phew ! Reached the Eagle lake

Leaving you with a silly video Ims shot of his silly talent.

Zebra Cake

I got most delayed in posting my last post on ‘Z’. Here is a picture of the first Zebra cake I baked.

The April AtoZ challenge was fun. I got into it as my blog was getting royally ignored. I’m glad I could post regularly. Thanks to all those who were on this voyage with me. Cheers !!

P.S1: Let me compose better posts on my old topics of Food and Travel here on.
P.S2: Ims is already planning next trip for the Memorial day long weekend coming up in May, our financial planning is going for a toss.

Y for Yasmeen

Though it is very common, I love my name. It means ‘Jasmine flower‘.

We went on a short trip to Tahoe with friends last weekend. Many activities were closed but we enjoyed boating, hiking, dining and just chilled out. It was a nice weather as well.

I’m not in the best of healths but I’m beginning to love hiking. When we went to Yosemite last year, I was struggling but still managed to do many hikes and I got little used to them then on. The successful reach to the summit is truly exhilarating.

This time it was a short 2.2 mile round trip hike to a beautiful small ‘Eagle lake’. Below is a pic half way on the hike overlooking the Emerald bay.

Eagle Falls Trailhead (South Lake Tahoe)

X for Xerox

I could think of just this with the letter ‘X’, how during college, it was such an integral part of our lives.

I was a meek girl then but I remember one incident where I got all the strength in the world.

It was time for my final year project submission and my records were still at the Xerox shop. It was too crowded with many guys and I was the only girl. The shopkeeper kept me waiting for over an hour.

I had to rush to a college far away to submit it and it was already evening. I asked him for my records one last time and when he again paid me no attention, that was it. I got mad and started shouting at him in English for 5 whole minutes. There was pin drop silence all the while with everyone’s eyes on me.

Then came the climax, some boys applauded and said ‘once more, once more’. And I felt like a hero.

I called my Dad then and he did the remaining and thus my project work was done.

Whale watching

This post was long due. We went on a whale watching tour at the San Francisco bay last month. It was supposed to be a full day tour and we had a groupon deal. We reached early morning as the trip starts at 8. Firstly, it got delayed by an hour and I got cranky. But when the boat started sailing, it felt good and I was happy. But alas, I suffered from severe sea sickness with vomitings and headache. I just lied down inside the cabin the whole trip, could not eat a bite. It took around 2 hours to reach the spot and we slowed down for sometime to catch glimpses of the majestic whales. I managed to see them from the window and Ims clicked pictures from the deck.

We could spot some Grey whales but no Humpback whales, no breaching as well. And we returned by just 2, I got angry as they said it would be full day and I was prepared with food and all but I was very happy too that my suffering would come to an end. All in all, it was not a great trip, I’m never going again. I’m planning to do whale watching next at either Hawaii or the Monterey bay.

First sight of the Whale

Whale breathing

The tail

One more, how I wish they breached

A couple !

The Golden Gate

Point Bonita on the way

And the big news. Did I tell you all that I adopted a Humpback whale Chomp.

Vista Point

When we go on road trips here in California, I get amused at the many ‘Vista Point’ boards, I think they are great to let visitors know about those special views. Below is one of it from our recent trip to the calm and dreamy Point Arena which was such an apt place to chill out. Isn’t it gorgeous, how I wish we owned a house there overlooking the Pacific.

Another place where I loved the views was Carmel, I wish we had a DSLR then to capture them even better but nevertheless it was beautiful and I’m sure Ims would be more than happy to go there again.

P.S. We are escaping to a short vacation with friends this weekend, hoping to do Parasailing for first time.

Uncertainties

In continuation of the previous post, aren’t uncertainties such a tough phase to be in. All we need then is company of people in the same boat as us, to console and support each other. I’m glad I found great forums over the net that helped me overcome my anxieties in such times.

Anyway, since I heard that my parents are going to attend a cousin’s wedding, my mouth has been watering to taste some of that spicy Biryani. I learnt even Ims is craving for it and we visited a Pakistani restaurant nearby. Ofcourse it was no close but helped our drooling pangs.

Tears of Joy

I love that phrase, and love it even more when I experience it. The long wait for that life changing moment, the do or die situation, the end of uncertainties. And when it all leads to your expected and planned result, come the tears of joy. I prefer spending those few precious moments with myself, to re-energize and face the new developments. Nowadays, I’m in search of that state of exuberance.

This video from ‘Love Aaj Kal‘ has a particular scene which begins at 2:18 where Deepika starts crying and an awesome song gets played in the background, it is my favorite one.

Siblinghood

Another revelation about me is I come from a big family. I have 3 sisters and 1 brother. Growing up, we had lots of fights and wars but I think it is better now after my elder sis and I got married. But the other three are still at loggerheads sometimes.

R, the eldest is the protective one just like Mom, next is your own Jazz (well what can I say about me ). Then there is Guddu, the confused, one moment she wants to do MicroBiology, or Fashion Designing, and her recent craze is English Literature. Then we have our dear bro A who loves his Smartphone more than anything else. Last is chirpy Chutki, still a school kid.

I wonder how Mom Dad bear all of us. By the way we are similar to Hum Paanch, love it, used to be our favorite show.

Such varied is my family that I can talk to any depending on my mood.